AFCON 2025 will be Africa’s biggest football tournament, with 24 African nations competing. It will be the 35th edition of the continental championship and the second time Morocco has hosted the tournament since 1988.

Matches will be played in cities including Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir—cities known for their rich history and modern infrastructure.

The opening match will see the Moroccan national team face Comoros, while the following day Mali will play Zambia.

As a journalist who has covered Somali sports for the past 15 years, I attended the African Footballer of the Year Awards ceremony held in Rabat on 15 November 2025.

For the first time this year, Somali audiences were able to watch the event live, with thousands reacting on Astaan Sports’ Facebook page.

From my perspective, AFCON 2025—the 35th edition of the tournament—differs significantly from previous competitions.

This year, services for fans traveling to Morocco to watch the matches have been greatly improved.

Morocco has prepared 723 new buses to facilitate transportation for visitors and players. Luxury hotels and recreational facilities are also available.

Morocco has also hosted qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating new opportunities for African countries.

Somalia is among those countries, with Morocco supporting it through access to stadiums and training facilities.

Culture and Music

The tournament will showcase Morocco’s unique culture and the diversity of African traditions. Cultural dances and music performances will be held, and the official song, “Maghribi Maghribi,” will open the tournament on Sunday.

Morocco maintains partnerships with all 54 African countries, including Somalia, to strengthen football development.

Omar Khyari, adviser to the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, said this cooperation provides Somalia with opportunities for training and sports infrastructure development.

“We have built cooperative links with all 54 African countries. Somalia and Morocco, in particular, have a special partnership. Morocco is helping Somalia by allowing it to play its home matches in Morocco during competitions in which Somalia participates, which enhances the role of the Somali national team in AFCON 2025,” said Omar Khyari.

This cooperation will have a significant impact on the construction of stadiums and sports infrastructure in Somalia, enabling the country to compete at higher levels. It will also help develop high-quality players, allowing Somalia to gradually improve its domestic football.

_

Mohamed Abdi Muudey is a sports journalist and the director of Astaan Sports.

The post AFCON 2025: Morocco Brings Together the Passion of Football and African Culture. What Does It Mean for Somalis? appeared first on Kaab TV.

The original ban, first reported by Kaab TV, was issued by the Minister of Sports and Youth, Hodan Said Hassan.

The minister cited security concerns following violence during a recent match between fans of the Mudug and Nugal teams as the primary reason for the ban.

“We are sorry and apologize for not being able to control the female fans. The girls are a huge burden on us.  On Tuesday, December 31, we want to ban all women from the stadium and have them stay at home to watch the game,” Minister Hodan stated during a press briefing on Sunday.

However, the decision faced widespread public backlash and condemnation from human rights groups, ultimately forcing a reversal. Critics called the decision discriminatory and likened it to the restrictive policies of Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers.

“Puntland Human Rights Committee engaged with the Deputy President, and the decision was reversed,” said Mohamed Hassan, an online activist from Puntland.

Former Somali Minister of Health, Dr. Fawziya Abikar, also criticized the initial ban, calling it “unfair” and questioning its justification.

“Security concerns? So women cannot go? Is this a collective punishment for women fans? This is not fair,” she remarked.

On Monday, the Governor of Nugal, Abdirahman Haji Abshir, confirmed that women would be allowed to attend Tuesday’s football matches.

Governor Abshir emphasized that women should not be blamed for any violent incidents and reaffirmed their right to participate as fans.

Minister Hodan also announced the reversal during another press briefing, explaining that the decision was made following an order from the President of Puntland.

“Following the ban on women yesterday, I want to state that, by the order of the President of Puntland, women are now allowed to attend the football match on Tuesday,” she said.

The Deputy Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Aidid Ahmed Nur, reiterated that women have the right to attend matches and warned against violence or incitement based on clan affiliations.

“Anyone who commits a crime will bear full responsibility and will be dealt with accordingly,” General Aidid stated.

Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northeastern Somalia, is hosting its regional football tournament, which began on December 10.

The tournament features nine regional teams and has sparked intense rivalry among fans, occasionally leading to violent clashes.

The final game of the regional tournament, set to take place on Tuesday, will see the Nugal team face off against the Bari team in what promises to be a highly anticipated and intense match.

In the last match on Friday, Nugal, representing the capital Garowe, defeated Mudug with a close 3-2 victory.

The tensions between fans were highlighted as exchanges of clannism-related comments sometimes escalated into violence.

Tuesday’s match is expected to proceed with heightened security measures and renewed efforts to promote inclusivity and ensure peaceful participation by all fans.

The post Puntland Reverses Ban on Women Football Fans appeared first on Kaab TV.

Hodan Said, Puntland’s Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that the decision was made due to security concerns.

Hodan claimed that women fans were contributing to incitement and clannism, which could escalate into violence during the game.

The decision has sparked criticism, with many viewing it as discriminatory against women football supporters.

Over the past two weeks, women have actively participated as fans, adding vibrancy to the matches.

Local observers argue that the exclusion of women fans will diminish the excitement and inclusivity that have characterized the games so far.

This development raises concerns about gender equality in sports and the broader implications for women’s participation in public events in Puntland.

The post Puntland Ministry of Sports Bars Women Fans from Football Final appeared first on Kaab TV.

This result also marked the end of Mudug’s journey in the tournament.

We are here at the Mire Aware Stadium in Garowe.  The match was closely contested, with both teams locked at 2-2 for much of the game.

However, the Nugal team clinched the win with a decisive penalty goal in the final moments.

Despite the thrilling finish, the Mudug team lodged a complaint, accusing the referee of bias. Both teams eventually accepted the outcome.

A large crowd has gathered at Mire Aware Stadium ahead of the highly anticipated semifinal match.

Fans, including supporters from both teams, began taking up seats as early as four hours before kickoff.

Puntland police in Garowe have appealed to football fans from both Mudug and Nugal regions to remain peaceful and cooperate as one of the most contested games of the season takes place this afternoon at Mire Aware Stadium.

To ensure the safety and security of the stadium, the police have banned face masks, turbans, and women’s face coverings for the event.

The Puntland Football Tournament, which began on December 10, is set to conclude next week.

The final match will be played on Monday, featuring Nugal and the remaining finalist.

The post Nugal Beats Mudug 3-2 to Advance to Puntland Football Final appeared first on Kaab TV.